The band was unique in that all of the members had sung lead vocals on at least one recording and the songwriting responsibilities were distributed throughout, though Mike Park was generally regarded as the front man.
Skankin' Pickle's lyrics range from silly, in songs such as "Fakin' Jamaican" and "Asian Man", to sociopolitical, in songs like "Racist World" and "Ice Cube, Korea Wants a Word With You". As a band, Skankin' Pickle promoted racial equality in the tradition of two-tone ska bands, such as The Specials, in late 1970s England.
Following their breakup in 1996, Knackstedt and Nylander started another skacore band called 78 RPMs. Mike Park released an album and toured with The Bruce Lee Band, a side project consisting of Park and members of Less Than Jake. Later, Park started a short-lived, all-Asian ska band called The Chinkees. Lundquist went on to play trombone for Mu330.
Gates of Steel
Skankin' Pickle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unlock the secret voice.
Give in to ancient noise, take a chance, a brand new dance,
Twist away the gates of steel.
Twist away, now twist and shout.
The Earth, it moves too slow.
But the Earth is all we know, we pay to play the human way,
Our man is real, that's how he feels.
But the earth is all we know, we pay to play the human way,
Twist away the gates of steel.
The beginning was the end, (Of everything now.)
The ape regards his tail. (He's stuck on it.)
Repeats until he fails, half a goon and half a man,
This man's not made of steel.
Twist away, now twist and shout.
The Earth, it moves too slow.
But the Earth is all we know, we pay to play the human way,
Twist away the gates of steel.
Our man is real, not made of steel.
In Skankin' Pickle's song "Gates of Steel," the lyrics suggest the need to break free from the constraints that society places upon us. The "gates of steel" represent those constraints and limitations that prevent us from expressing our true selves. The lyrics encourage the listener to "unlock the secret voice" within and "give in to ancient noise," implying that there is a primal, authentic self that has been silenced by societal norms. The line "twist away, now twist and shout" reinforces this idea of breaking free from societal constraints and expressing oneself freely.
The song also touches on the idea that we are all part of the same Earth, and that we should not get caught up in our own human ways or hierarchies. The line "but the Earth is all we know, we pay to play the human way" suggests that our obsession with money, power, and status is not truly meaningful in the larger scheme of things. The repeated line "our man is real, not made of steel" further emphasizes the importance of being authentic and true to oneself.
Overall, "Gates of Steel" is a call to break free from societal constraints and be true to oneself. It encourages listeners to embrace their authentic selves and recognize the interconnectedness of all humans and the Earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Twist away the gates of steel,
Remove the barriers that prevent us from discovering truth and accessing inner thoughts or feelings.
Unlock the secret voice.
Find the key to unlock the hidden voice inside of us that speaks to our true selves.
Give in to ancient noise, take a chance, a brand new dance, Twist away the gates of steel.
Embrace the old, primal ways and let go of our inhibitions to try something new, even if it's risky or unfamiliar.
Twist away, now twist and shout.
Continue to break down the barriers that prevent us from being our authentic selves, despite others' views or opinions.
The Earth, it moves too slow.
Life is short and constantly moving, so we must make the most of our time and live fully in the moment.
But the Earth is all we know, we pay to play the human way, Twist away the gates of steel.
Despite our limited understanding of the universe, we must live as humans to fully appreciate life's experiences.
Our man is real, that's how he feels.
We are defined by our genuine emotions and perspectives, rather than conforming to societal norms or expectations.
The beginning was the end, (Of everything now.)
The origin often determines the outcome or result in the present moment.
The ape regards his tail. (He's stuck on it.)
People continually focus on their past, rather than embracing moving forward and living in the now.
Repeats until he fails, half a goon and half a man, This man's not made of steel.
Despite failures, people should strive to move forward and progress in life, even if they are not perfect.
Our man is real, not made of steel.
People are human and vulnerable, not invincible, but their emotions and experiences make them unique and valuable.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEBBIE SMITH, GERALD CASALE, MARK ALLEN MOTHERSBAUGH, SUE SCHMIDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind